shadow of britain

Chapter 42 The Strange Priest
Greenwich Police Station, in Arthur's office.

Arthur and the rumored uninvited guest sat at opposite ends of the desk.

As described by the police officer who sent Arthur the message, the guest wore a black burqa, a white shirt with a lapel collar, a silver cross on his chest, and a tall, thin face. No calluses can be found on the bridge of the nose, and a pair of white hands. It is obvious from the first look that he has not done any heavy physical labor.

All the above information shows that this guest must be born in a family above the middle class and has received a considerable degree of education.

Arthur couldn't figure out the purpose of the other party's visit, so he could only ask in as friendly a tone as possible: "I don't think I know you, and I don't know what to call you?"

The other party also smiled politely, and said, "Mr. Hastings, I am really disturbing you by coming suddenly.

I am Vicar of St Mary's, Oxford University Church and a Special Fellow at Oriel College, Oxford - John Newman.

You can call me the Reverend, or Mr. Newman, or John if you like. "

Oxford university?

Priest?

Arthur couldn't help but took a deep breath.

For him, one of these two things is already difficult to deal with, and the combination of the two can still be a person?
To make matters worse, the guest in front of him was actually a researcher at Oriel College, Oxford University.

If Oxford University is the base camp of conservatives in Great Britain, then Oriel College, which specializes in teaching theology and training state priests, is simply the base camp of the base camp.

It is no exaggeration to say that based on Arthur's values ​​and his understanding of Oriel College, everyone there should be sentenced to death, and the death penalty must be executed repeatedly.

Fortunately, Arthur had met Darwin who graduated from Emmanuel College of Cambridge University before, so when facing Mr. Newman who worked at Oriel College of Oxford University, he finally managed to maintain a calm expression.

But this still didn't prevent the red devil sitting on the desk from laughing up to the sky.

Agares pointed at Arthur's face, holding his stomach and drooling and laughing.

"Arthur, look at your expression, whether you are crying or laughing, if you don't know, you might think you have smelled the poop from Barr's dung yard."

After hearing this, Arthur squeezed out a gasp from his nose, and murmured, "Agares, I don't allow you to insult shit like that."

But Pastor Newman, who was sitting across from him, obviously didn't hear Arthur's words clearly. He said in a daze, "What did you say?"

Arthur quickly put on a smiling face: "It's nothing, I said it's raining today, making the office lack of light."

Taking advantage of Newman's lack of thinking, he hurriedly changed the subject and said, "I don't know why you came to see me today?"

Hearing this, Newman took out two books from the leather bag he was carrying and put them on Arthur's desk.

Arthur looked down and saw that the two books were Human Rights and Common Sense by Thomas Paine.

His brows jumped, and he asked, "Can I confirm your occupation again? Are you a priest?"

Newman nodded: "That's right."

Arthur asked again: "Still graduated from Oxford University?"

Newman continued to nod: "Graduated in 1820."

Arthur took a deep breath and pinched his mouth with one hand. He looked at Newman and then at the two books.

After reading for a long time, he finally said: "To be honest, Mr. Newman, I don't understand you a bit. Because I really can't connect a pastor who graduated from Oxford with these two books."

When Newman heard this, he suddenly showed a smile: "You really have read these two books."

Arthur shook his head, and he denied it flatly: "I haven't seen it."

Newman was taken aback when he heard this: "Then how do you know that an Oxford priest cannot be associated with these two books?"

Arthur picked up the teacup on the table and took a sip: "Because of Scotland Yard's regulations, at least I can't admit that I have seen it.

Although these two books are no longer illegal publications, it has only been a year since they were lifted.

Besides, our group of Scotland Yard police officers are at least nominally under the command of His Majesty the King, and you should be very clear about how the former King George III is called in these two books. "

"Do you mean this passage?"

Newman picked up the "Common Sense", skillfully flipped to the bookmarked position, and read out the content in the usual tone.

"George III is nothing more than the royal brute of Great Britain. He is the chief source of evil in North America. The British royal family is not holy, because according to the history of the conquest of the British Isles, the first ancestor of the British king is just a wicked gang of unsuccessful people. Chief."

The corner of Arthur's mouth tugged, exhaling and inhaling and exhaling again, it took him a long time to forcefully pull back the raised corner of his mouth.

Arthur rubbed his face with both hands, and said calmly: "Mr. Newman, you just have to read some things, you don't have to read them out. If you want me to lose my job, just say it. It's too low."

"Lost your job? Why did you lose your job?"

Newman stood up, pointing to the text on "Common Sense" puzzled and said, "Isn't this telling the truth?"

Arthur glanced at the line, pursed his lips, and his voice trembled when he spoke.

"Mr. Newman, you must know that in most cases, the truth hurts the most."

The Red Devil took the opportunity to come over and pat him on the shoulder, pretending to excuse Arthur and saying, "Arthur, laugh if you want to. It's not good for your health to keep holding back."

Newman sat back in his chair as if discouraged: "To be honest, before reading these two books, I always thought Thomas Paine was a cynical and evil person.

But now, I am convinced by him.Although he is an unbeliever, his actions and ideals are more like a devout believer than anyone else. "

"Is that why you forgive him?"

Arthur said: "I remember he also criticized the church, he said 'the Christian system in religion is an insult to common sense'.

He also said 'they're taking that book called the Bible as the word of God, which is utter blasphemy.It is a book full of lies and contradictions, a history of very bad times and very bad people. '

Just because of his words, I remember that Oxford University would drag him out to criticize every now and then! "

Newman said in confusion: "Maybe other people think that way, but I think it's because they don't know Thomas Paine. Look at the thoughts he expressed and the contributions he made.

He proposed the establishment of public education, the establishment of a minimum wage, he criticized George III, and therefore had to leave the UK.

He helped the North American colonies get rid of Great Britain, and personally participated in the battle. American soldiers had a copy of "Common Sense", and all Americans would recite what he said.

But after the independence of the United States, he was squeezed out and dismissed for exposing corruption scandals within the government, and left the United States sadly.

He participated in the French Revolution, but was forced to leave France because he opposed Robespierre's execution of Louis XVI and his bloody policy.

He opposed Napoleon's proclaiming emperor and rejected his conscript and invitation, but it did not affect Napoleon's appreciation for him.

Many times, as long as he keeps his mouth shut, he can spend his life in peace, prosperity and wealth, instead of dying alone in the rented hut.

But he doesn't, he never stops talking, he just insists on what he thinks is right, insists on his virtue, just like you did before in court.

Is he an unbeliever?I think he is a true devout Christian.

Sadly, Paine is dead and can no longer answer my questions.

But to my relief, I saw you in the newspaper.

So I came here today, and I want to ask you, who are as unwilling to be silent as him, how do you view these issues? "

(End of this chapter)